Labour’s John Denham MP has asked employers and employees to give him details of the way in which migrant labour is being employed in Southampton.

John Denham, MP for Southampton Itchen, is responding to a call for evidence from the Government’s Migration Advisory Committee about the employment of migrant labour in low skilled jobs.

Mr Denham has been encouraging the MAC to look at Southampton because of widespread stories that many agencies have a heavy reliance on migrant workers.

Mr Denham said:

“We all know that there are a substantial number of migrant workers, mainly from Eastern Europe, in the Southampton area. It’s common to hear concerns that they are undercutting local employees, or that they are suffering harsh conditions, or indeed both. But there are surprisingly few facts about what is actually happening.”

Mr Denham wants to hear from:

– Employers: do you employ migrant workers and, if so, why?

– Local employees: what role, if any, do migrant workers play where you work?

– Jobseekers: do you think migrant workers have any impact on your job search?

– Migrant workers: what sort of job do you have, and how are you treated?